"At that point last year, I'm 21 and it just felt like everything was against me, like I can't do anything right. I did something to help somebody else out, and I end up getting into trouble. I understand. I shouldn't have sold the stuff and taken $3,000. But I was kind of in a place where I didn't understand why this is happening to me -- especially for the reason that I did it."

I just have to say that I respect the man a little bit more now after reading this article. Before everyone jumps out and gets all riled up about Pryor receiving improper benefits, let's look at the reason Pryor states he took the cash.

Quote:

"Let me remind you it was freezing cold in November, December, and she's using the oven as heat. That's what I did as a kid. I was telling the NCAA, 'Please, anything that you can do. I gave my mother this so my sister wouldn't be cold, so my mother wouldn't be cold.' They didn't have any sympathy for me."

Damn son. That's a noble thing to do. Clearly this man cares very deeply for his family. Does it change the fact that what he did broke the rules? Not at all. But at least it gives a little insight to the reason behind the move. Rather than this as an entirely selfish, self-promoting move, Pryor broke the rules so his family would make it.

Not dismissing that top-athletes should get financial gain, I find the "heat" aspect of this story quite suspect. I live right down the road from Jeannette, PA and I can say that his mother was often seen in expensive vehicles that reportedly came from the same money man that helped provide Terrelle with several expensive vehicles. Perhaps they could've gone with less luxury in their vehicles and more efficiency in their utilities.

It can be if you aren't trying to heat the entire home, but it's also incredibly dangerous (Carbon Monoxide can be a big threat). If it's a gas powered oven, then it has the advantage of running when the power is cut off (for whatever reason). My parents live in Michigan and they keep a propane space heater around for those 2-3 times in the winter when their power goes out. If you do have electricity, then an electric space heater is a much better option.

The key to all of this is that you obviously only heat a small space. Nobody is going to heat their entire home with a space heater or their oven.

regarding the cars, if they weren't given to him, there may not have been a choice to be made (as in, "here, drive this around! but i can't give you money, this is different.")

You can easily and anonymously pay for someone else's heat bill, at least here in Indiana. I would be surprised if the same wasn't true for other states.

edit: I want to say that this story may be true in part. Like maybe he started taking money to help his mom and sister get through the winter, and it snowballed from there. But that is hardly the only reason or the only amount of money/benefits he took.

Personally I don't care, I don't blame these kids much for taking money. Maybe they should know better but at most I'd say the blame goes 10% kids, 90% NCAA, schools, and boosters.

Personally I don't care, I don't blame these kids much for taking money. Maybe they should know better but at most I'd say the blame goes 10% kids, 90% NCAA, schools, and boosters.

Yeah, I don't want to look like I'm piling on. I feel the same way. I just feel he should take accountability and not make it sound like economic hardship and family welfare were the crux for his benefit grab. I'd rather he take thousands upon thousands and admit it became a lifestyle than say he only took a little to help his family. Honesty would win for me, in this instance.

Yeah, if I was a star D1 athlete at a top 20 program, hell yes I'm taking booster cheese in a handshake if I think there's NO WAY I'm gonna get caught.

I wouldn't, I don't think(lol!), go overboard like Reggie Bush did, but it's so easy to rationalize accepting improper benefits in college at big time programs when you see how much revenue your school is making off your sweat and blood on the football field.

Terrelle should just say he made a mistake and leave it at that. He doesn't owe anyone an explanation.

I understand Pyror's situation. You're a college student, who in his case, is playing at a top D1 school. It's a huge benefit that your tuition is getting paid for you 4 years of schooling, but how do you live? You really don't have time for a job as your time is mostly gone towards school then football and you don't get paid for football in college.

Most of these guys that take the money don't come from high income households either.

I understand Pyror's situation. You're a college student, who in his case, is playing at a top D1 school. It's a huge benefit that your tuition is getting paid for you 4 years of schooling, but how do you live? You really don't have time for a job as your time is mostly gone towards school then football and you don't get paid for football in college.

Most of these guys that take the money don't come from high income households either.

I respect Pryor a bit more admitting his mistakes.

He's not really admitting his mistakes though. I agree with whoever said he should just say that he made mistakes and move on, and that he doesn't owe anyone an explanation. Using his poor upbringing, which I'm sure has a kernel of truth to it, is pretty lame when he is driving brand new cars around campus and the surrounding area.

I don't think I deserved (being punished) in that way, because of the reason I was doing it. I felt like I was doing God's work in a way, and I was getting driven into the ground.

Quote:

She was four months behind in rent, and the (landlord) was so nice because he was an Ohio State fan

this is actually a violation for improper benefits in and of itself, a lesser version of bush's violation: free housing with the promise of we'll make it up to you.

Quote:

Let me remind you it was freezing cold in November, December, and she's using the oven as heat. That's what I did as a kid. I was telling the NCAA, 'Please, anything that you can do. I gave my mother this so my sister wouldn't be cold, so my mother wouldn't be cold.' They didn't have any sympathy for me.

HA! TAKE THAT BIG BAD NCAA! look how souless they are! my family was freezing and they just laughed in my face as they left the freezer door open to add to their struggles!! what a freaking joke, way to try and villianize the ncaa. im sure they were like 'oh your family's suffering, thats just the way we love it! fap fap fap'

pryor is a dumb*** for letting someone talk him into this story. He broke a rule and payed for it, it happens. I dont hold it against him but the pitty party is pathetic and his story is illogical, which isnt a shocker.

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Originally Posted by Thumper/JBCX/Bixby

Orton will never be in the same class as the Drew Brees or the Peyton Mannings or the Tom Bradys of the world. Kevin Kolb has the potential to be that kind of player.

You can easily and anonymously pay for someone else's heat bill, at least here in Indiana. I would be surprised if the same wasn't true for other states.

I know you can do this in Alabama and Texas as well. There is an option on the bill to pay more than what is due on your account and have it go to people who can't afford their bill.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SolidGold

Bortlezzzzzzz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monomach

Brilliant letting one of Scott Pioli's henchmen have his own team to ruin. One of the premier GM jobs in the NFL and it gets handed to a stupid **** who makes three facepalm moves for every good one. Awesome. Just like handing a new Mercedes to a 16 year old girl who's already been in three wrecks.

Terelle Pryor was on a full ride scholarship and if he was poor as he makes his family out to be got loaded with grants or loans if he wanted too. There is a lot of legal money he could have gotten from the state to give back to his family.

Terelle Pryor was on a full ride scholarship and if he was poor as he makes his family out to be got loaded with grants or loans if he wanted too. There is a lot of legal money he could have gotten from the state to give back to his family.

Can you still get grants and scholarships when you have a full ride scholarship already? It's hard to imagine you'd qualify, and pretty ****** considering the other candidates that would miss out so athletes could have "legit" drinking money.

Can you still get grants and scholarships when you have a full ride scholarship already? It's hard to imagine you'd qualify, and pretty ****** considering the other candidates that would miss out so athletes could have "legit" drinking money.

Yup, athletes can get a Pell Grant at Ohio State as well which will pay them a bit of money weekly depending on their parents income bracket.

They also get payed a flat sum for their books, food, etc. For example, a student athlete I RAed got $500 for books per quarter. Generally, they will run a student 200-300 dollars. So, he went and bought new shoes with the rest.

I don't buy the pity party. I agree it is a sob story that wasn't necessary. I certainly agree that the NCAA pushes their weight around, as do the boosters and agents. Everyone is out for themselves, lets not kid ourselves. Ultimately the athletes/students are at the bottom of the barrel and will take the brunt of it in the end, but they themselves hardly live the tough life.

If there is a level of helping the family then I can appreciate the desire to help them out. However, given what we know we can agree that at least a portion was used for personal pleasure, not strictly to 'support the family'.

The truth is likely somewhere in the middle.

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Courtesy of Fenikz - Much Appreciated

Quote:

Originally Posted by dRaFtDoRk

You can't be a good corner if no one throws your way. Thats my way of seeing it.

While I certainly feel for Pryor's family to an extent, a lot does not add up here. And while I don't think the system is perfect, the whole "feel bad for me, I had no choice" thing I can't go with.

First, I'm not sure what it's like in other states, but in Illinois it's illegal to turn off the heat to a residence in winter. So while it would have racked up unpaid bills, you wouldn't need to use an oven. No idea for PA.

Second, as others have mentioned, Pryor couldn't apply for other financial aide for his family? Or his family couldn't get aide? His ONLY choice was to accept improper benefits? Come on...

Third, Pryor is constantly seen off the field with valuable items, whether it be electronics, cars, jewelry, etc. Either one of two things is happening: he accepted everything against the rules, or someone was dumb enough to buy him all that stuff (within the rules) instead of spending the money on a heating bill.

Finally, it's not the NCAAs fault if you are poor. Does it suck? Absolutely. But they aren't forcing you to go to play football or go to school. Pryor could have graduated high school and gotten a full time job to provide for his family if it was that bad. He could have trained for a couple years while working, and enter the NFL draft in 3 years. Is that the optimal scenario? Of course not. But it's not like playing college football is his only option in life after HS, and so he was "forced" into cheating and accepting money improperly. And I know football is the reason why he's in college, and the reason why he can go to school for free, but millions of people don't go to college and at least scrape by in life. Sometimes life sucks and you can't always get what you want or play football for a living.

Again, I feel for his family if they are that poor, but it's really hard to believe things were soooo bad and he had no other choice.